Deadline for B&NES home improvement grant approaching

Hurry to access Council home improvement grant

Bath & North East Somerset Council currently has a grant of up to £6,000 available through the Energy at Home scheme to help you make energy saving improvements to your home. 

The grant can be used to help cover the costs of improvements such as:

• improved heating systems (including gas and oil fired systems, and electric storage heaters),
• internal, external, or cavity wall insulation, and loft insulation, 
• upgraded glazing including secondary glazing, double glazing and external doors,
• and renewable energy technologies.

Installing measures like these can help improve your home’s energy performance, reduce the amount you spend on your energy bills, and help keep your home warm and cosy over the winter.

This grant is available to all home owners, private landlords and privately renting tenants.  You do not need to be on a low income or an elderly person to be eligible for this grant, but you do need to be signed up before the end of February. 

The Energy at Home scheme will continue to be available after this particular grant ends, with access to other local and national grants, however funding to this level, accessible for so many people, and for this range of measures is unlikely to be available again...
 

..so contact the Energy at Home Advice Service today!

0800 038 5680

Marks & Spencer Western Lock

Much work has been carried out on the development at Western Lock that will son see the opening of a New Marks & Spencer store on the site in part of the building formally occupied by Pc World.

It is our understanding that the Store will soon be opening and we are led to believe that this is in Feb so not long to wait now.

On 6th January Marks and Spencer applied for a new alcohol licence for the store which seems to be reasonable for the area.

Lymore Gardens/Claude Vale Planning Application

I am pleased to confirm that following my lobbying of Local Councillor Paul Crossley, he put forward a motion to the Development Control committee to refuse the planning application for the building of 8 flats on land by Lymore Gardens and Claude Vale.

After talking with local residents, I agreed that this application would cause an increased strain on the already difficult parking situation in Lymore Gardens and would also create additional traffic trying to pull out onto Lymore Avenue at an awkward Junction.  These were just a couple of reasons I requested refusal of the application should be considered.

This motion was accepted at the meeting on 16th December, with 7 voting for, 1 against and 2 abstentions.  

This application could be subject to an appeal, however, we will keep you informed of the outcome of this.

Haycombe Cemetery & Crematorium Entrance Improvements

Work has started on a new project to improve the entrance gateway at Haycombe Cemetery & Crematorium.

At the moment the gateway can become congested as it is only wide enough for one car to pass through at a time. This can mean that funeral cortèges have to wait to wait outside on the road from exiting traffic to pass through the gates on to Whiteway Road.

The work will involve dismantling and relocating two of the stone pillars which have been in place since 1937, to widen the gateway.  Great care will be taken during this part of the job sot hat the pillars on both sides will match once it is finished. 

New gates will be manufactured by a local fabricator modelled on the design of the existing gates and re-using parts of them where they can.

One of the pedestrian access routes will also change with a new gate off the Whiteway Road pavement leading on to a new pathway inside the boundary wall towards the Chapel and the rest of the grounds.

Single lane access will be maintained throughout the works and the Council’s contractors are making significant efforts to ensure inconvenience and noise is minimised at this sensitive location.

Works are scheduled to finish before Christmas.

Half Term Fun - Bath City Farm

Are you looking for activities in the area to keep your children amused this half term?

Bath City Farm are holding the following events that are free so why not go along to a great community venue right on our doorstep.

Monday 26th October 11am-2pm: 

Medieval Madness!

Go and explore medieval life at Bath City Farm, handle medieval artefacts, make a gargoyle and sample medieval food. 

Tuesday 27th October 11am-2pm: 

Apple and Pumpkin Day

Join them for a day of apple and pumpkin related fun, including; apple tasting, bobbing and juicing, and pumpkin carving. 

Saturday 31st October 1pm-4pm: 

Frightful Halloween Fun

Join them for an afternoon of spooky games, make a paper and willow lantern and dress to scare for our 3.30pm lantern-lit parade.

Currys PC World refurbishment - Weston Lock

Following discussions with staff, we can confirm that Currys PC World at Weston Lock is currently closed and will be closed for approximately 2 weeks, whilst the refurbishment of Unit A is finished and stock is moved to enable Currys PC World to operate from this side of the site.

This will mean that Currys PC World will then vacate Unit B and this will be free for Marks & Spencers to complete their work to enable the new food store to be opened in this section of the building. 

Great Western Railway Electrification Project - Bellotts Road Foot/Cycle Bridge closure

Please note that from the end of October through to approximately April 2016, the cycle/foot path over the railway on Linear Way at the top of Bellotts Road will be closed as Network Rail need to carry out comprehensive preparation work for the railway electrification and installation of new bridge has been completed.

During this time pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted via a short, fully signed, diversion route. This footpath closure will remain in place until the new footbridge has been installed and the approach footpaths have been re-instated.

The normal working hours on site will be between 08.00am - 6.00pm, from Monday to Friday and from 08.00am  - 1.00pm on Saturdays.

Full details of the work and timetable can be viewed here.

There is also several drop in sessions being held to inform residents of what work is actually being carried out, these are as follows:

1st October 2015 at Hillside Hall, Hillside Road, Oldfield Park, Bath, BA2 3NX.

6th October 2015, 16:00 to 19:30 at Brunswick Room, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW.

3rd November 2015, 16:00 to 19:30 at Brunswick Room, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW

1st December 2015 at Brunswick Room, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW